To follow in the footsteps of your heroes and turn out for your boyhood team is a dream for any aspiring young footballer. Part of the thrill of playing football as a child is trying to emulate your heroes, perfecting your Ronaldo step over, your Beckham free kick or your Cantona nonchalance.

A sea of red shirts overpowered the tangerine orange of the Brisbane Roar as Liverpool fans blasted out their spine tingling rendition of 'You Will Never Walk Alone' that echoed around Lang Park. Brendan Rodgers looked unfazed by the harmonic battle cry and selected four of his new signings in his first eleven as well as Divock Origi who was out on loan at Lille last season.

It's the moment Villa fans have been dreading. It looks like Christian Benteke could be on his way out of Villa, with Liverpool looking the most likely to acquire his services. Ever since Suarez departed, the Reds have been in desperate need of further goal-scoring options and Rodgers seems willing to meet Villa's release clause of £32 million.

Manchester City have officially completed the £49m signing of Raheem Sterling from Liverpool, making the 20-year-old the most expensive English player in history, shattering the previous record set when Andy Carroll moved to Anfield for £35m.

We need to re-analyse *that* video. Yes, Roberto Firmino missed an open goal from 10 yards but I ask you to look a little closer and admire the sheer beauty of the 23-year-old's technique as he side footed the ball into the stand. His head is beautifully positioned over the ball, his left leg is deliciously balanced giving him pinpoint balance and as he perfectly strikes the ball it's simply a travesty that the vacant goal doesn't levitate two metres higher allowing the ball to find its intended net-based home.
It takes a special player to be able to miss in style and that is exactly why Liverpool have paid £29 million for his services. Firmino started at the youth academy Clube de Regatas Brasil before signing for Brazilian Serie B side Figueirense. He made 38 appearances for Figueira - scoring eight times - before moving to Germany to sign for Bundesliga side, Hoffenheim.
Known for his ball-carrying ability and intelligent vision Firmino racked up seven goals and 10 assists in 38 games last season, helping Hoffenheim to a successful campaign that saw them finish just outside of European qualification.
Bundesliga football journalist Jonathan Harding believes the Brazilian must be played as a number 10 and isn't a direct like-for-like replacement for Raheem Sterling.
He told WhatCulture Sport: "Firmino has all the flair you would expect from a Brazilian, but the work ethic of a Bundesliga player. Liverpool fans should be very excited about him. He was rumoured to be joining them last year, but has worked hard in the last year to become a more efficient player. There is room to improve - he's only 23 - but I don't expect his bedding in period to be that long. He's got the physical attributes to handle the force of the Premier League. Quick feet, will embarrass opponents and can score. In the 13-14 season, he scored 22. For an attacking-midfielder that's almighty.
"It is a lot of money, there's no denying that. Hoffenheim will feel handsomely rewarded for the talent they nurtured and the fee may sit heavy on his shoulders, especially if he is slow to start. The media in the UK are far from forgiving. However, the young lad has a confident swagger about him, and that will likely work in his favour. Along with his work rate, Liverpool fans will take to their new man quickly."
Here at whatculture.com/sport we have looked into 10 things that all Liverpool fans need to know about their new signing...
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Liverpool have completed the signing of Firmino from Hoffenheim for £29 million.
BBC Sport have confirmed that the 23-year-old striker will be Brendan Rodgers' fifth signing of the summer.
The deal is subject to a medical, that will take place after he returns from the Copa America where he has been playing for Brazil.
Firmino who was reportedly chased by a number of top clubs has scored 47 goals in 151 games for Hoffenheim and 4 goals in 9 games for Brazil.
He was on target for the Selecao during their 2-1 win over Venezuela on Sunday setting up Dunga's side with a quarter-final match against Paraguay this weekend.
The Hoffenheim man scored 7 goals and made 10 assists last season and was widely regarded as one of the most talented players in the league.
Firmino is the Reds' second most expensive signing in the club's history just behind Andy Carroll who they signed from Newcastle United in 2011 for £35 million.
Liverpool have already brought in four players this summer with Burnley striker Danny Ings, goalkeeper Adam Bogdan, Charlton defender, Joe Gomez and midfielder James Milner all signing for the Reds.